Lifetime With MorrieMost teenagers spend their summers on the beach with friends, ignore homework until the night before school starts, and almost never do their summer reading. I, on the other hand, spent a summer with a cute little old man, Morrie Schwartz. In other words, I was enchanted by Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom. A couple of pages in and I was no longer on my front porch fighting mosquitoes off of me; I was in Mitch Albom’s shoes, meeting Morrie every Tuesday for tea.
Mitch Albom told a heartfelt story about his encounter with his old College Professor before his passing. He would visit him every Tuesday and gain new aspects of life that he, and I, would soon benefit from. His words were therapeutic for me, and in one summer, Morrie got me through a year of losing my favorite cousin to gun violence and my parents’ separation. He spoke to me so clearly, it was as if he was sitting with me on my porch steps, solving all the issues I had that no one else could help with. His positive perspective of the beauty of life even while he was dying of an incurable disease is what I admired most about Morrie.
"So many people walk around with a meaningless life. They seem half-asleep, even when they're busy doing things they think are important. This is because they're chasing the wrong things. The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning." (43) I learned that there are more important things to life and about life that does not consist of being the most popular kid in school or being the best dressed and trying to fit in.
I didn’t want to go anywhere or do anything the summer of 2010, I wanted everyone I knew to sit down with me and get to meet my good friend, Morrie. I figured if more people got their hands on such a book, they’d have a change of hearts on what is important in their lives. I also wanted to learn more about Morrie, beyond the author’s relationship with him. I grew a certain fascination for him and youtubed his interviews and googled his biography. I wanted to know why he spoke the way he did about life and death. I was curious to find out why he was so happy and satisfied with life while it was slowly being taken from him. Morrie was strong regardless of his health. He kept a positive attitude and that helped me learn more about myself. I grew a more optimistic outlook on my own life and gained a new perspective for the people in my life and my surroundings. I learned that staying positive will eventually bring positivity to my life. I believe that’s how I got myself through a summer of losing a few friends but earning new ones. I learned from Morrie that “the most important thing in life is to learn how to give out love, and to let it come in." (52)
Morrie didn’t know me but I felt the love he had for me and all of humanity through Albom’s writing. He had nothing to regret, no hatred in his heart. He wasn’t mad at death, he accepted it and for that I admired him. I felt as if the book was placed in my hands by fate. I learned that in life you go through the most awful times--there is someone doing worse than you, someone doing better than you--but always keep love and positivity in mind. With perseverance and faith, you will always get through.
Everyone usually finds inspiration and role models in their parents, athletes, or celebrities. I found my role model in a 79 year old, retired Sociology professor that I’ve never even met. Tuesdays with Morrie is a memory I can go back to if I ever forget how to appreciate life. From his story I’ve learned to always keep faith and accept any situation in life and ultimately, be thankful and know that it could have been worse.
I grew to accept my cousin’s passing and my parent’s separation because Morrie told me that everything happens for a reason. Through helping others with their own problems and sharing Morrie’s words, I found my inner strength to continue in love and positivity. I am more than thankful for that one summer day.
